I find myself in a similarly frustrating position to yourself, with the limited wind and water time i find it's not so much the learning of the trick because given a few hours on the water you can normally have something new learned by the end of your session, it's then when you don't get out for a few weeks aftawards that when you do you basically spend your session re-learning what you did before. When we get a decent batch of wind and i get out a few days on the trot is when i progress the most. With the odd few hours here and there it does make progressing difficult. Like the post on the previous page said... instead of coaching spend your money on a trip to somewhere where it blows everyday.

the idea behind intermediate / advanced rider lessons is not just to show you something new to add to your skills list, it is also to give you one of the best sessions of your life (and definitely a better session than anybody else at the same spot on the same day is gonna have).

we put our clients in premium wind and water conditions, they dont have to work upwind at all, our coaches can demonstrate everything (everything), we push the clients hard with the radios, usually do two client rest / demo / talk breaks, and generally wear every client out in a 2 hr session. and we take pictures and videos of the session, which is not only a collection of awesome in your face shots, its a helpful learning tool.

So this is directed at those of you who can do more than just jump high. If you can do back rolls, unhooked tricks and other fancy moves, did you learn on your own or take lessons?

I ask because with a busy schedule and wind that is blowing during the week while I'm working, it's touch and go to get out on the water. Some days "mowing the lawn" with the odd jump is all I need. But after a while I'm keen to move on.

It's hard to get in enough time on the water to practice something new when riding time is patchy. I wonder then if it's worth spending a few hundred bucks on lessons to have someone coach me as I crash and fail several times, but then finally figure out how to do some new trick(s), or struggle on my own over the course of several months ???

So, maybe I'm not qualified to answer because it sounds like we're at about the same skill level, but 'advanced' lessons shouldn't cost as much as introductory lessons--especially if you're using your own gear.

I was out in PEI earlier this summer and took one such lesson to improve the consistency of my jumps. It was $80 for an hour with a radio. I would have gotten more out of it but for dropping the kite between the lines in the middle of the session, failing to fix it on the water and having to return to the beach to reset the lines (which caused a big tangle because I was in a hurry and didn't wind them onto the bar--whoops). Still, I feel as though the experience was worth the money. I'm jumping bigger and more consistently. If I do blow a jump now, I know exactly what I did wrong thanks to the coaching.

That said, there's certainly value in learning on your own. And while I try to push my boundaries every time I'm out, I hope to speed things along with the aid of some technological toys.

Still, if I have an opportunity to take a lesson in a good location for a decent price; I'll do it.

The learning really comes when you get lots of consecutive days on the water. If you are only able to get out 1 day a week, the progression will be very slow but with 2 weeks on the water every day, your progression will rocket significantly. Pick a windy place for your next long holiday and give er. It also helps to have a goal. Before you start your session visualize what you want to do in your mind. Then find a place where you can do short tacks and practice the move over and over on both sides until it is all muscle memory and you don't need to think about it any longer.

The big difference between learning tricks on your own and having lessons is learning things the right way. A coach can see what your doing wrong and tell you so you can correct it. It's easy if you have people that can do this for you. Most spots don't and you have everyone just sending the kite to do back and frontroll's.

It's your money, time, progression so if you think you can get something out of it just try.

Once you are at a point in kiting where you understand board and kite dynamics and how they work together... Yes, watching videos is a great way to learn new moves, given you have the time/conditions to go out and learn them on your own.

For the recreational kiter/weekend warrior time is limited. You want to make the most outta your time, get an advanced lesson for $99 an hour and learn proper technique and control. With proper technique, body awareness and kite control, mastering a new trick just leads to another trick etc. Kiting progression is about STEPS. You can't really skip steps in kiteboarding and continue to advance in a safe manner... Right, you dont try kiteloops, if you cant do an air transition

South Padre Island Kiteboarding is a fantastic place to practice your new moves with great flatwater & waves! Our fall season is Oct - Dec. If you are an upwind rider our advanced lessons are $99

...why not? I've only just started playing about with transitions recently, been doing hooked/unhooked kiteloops for ages now.

Me Also ; was taught to do a Kite-loop ---- Years ago, as a wayto get on-plane in very Very Light wind !!And it Works.

Also, you can actually De-power your kite in a kite-loop by simply pullingon the break-line, instead of using the bar ; that decreases the diameter of a normal kite-loop and the inside tip will actually go backwards. The center of rotation is about where the second strut is located on my 2010 Edge.

I don't have ankles that work , so i was taught That one because i use the sheeting in/out on the bar for most All my balance.

You could learn Kite-loops by leaving your board on the beach and do a body-drag ; FUN way to launch yourself a few feet out of the water.But LEARN that in (("LIGHT")) wind .

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